A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 12

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 12

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Some of the leading members of the church had opposed Elder Allen's appointment. There was a high school in the Thompson neighborhood, and they wanted a minister of greater learning. This placed Elder Allen at a disadvantage for a time, but on the breaking out of the reformation, nearly every pupil of the school was converted, together with the children of the steward who opposed his coming. This gentleman sub- sequently made a humble apology for his opposition, when Elder Allen retorted, " It's just good enough for you, sir, to have all of your children converted." It is doubtful if ever a minister left town, after a year's sojourn, more loved and re- spected than was Elder Allen at the close of his labors in 1842. Though half a century has elapsed since he bade adieu to the church of Industry, as its pastor, children and grandchildren of those converted under his teachings rise up to call him blessed.

Zebulon Manter, Jr., having experienced religion, was re- ceived into the church, and for a time was one of its class leaders. Being a person of marked ability he was licensed as local preacher, at a quarterly conference held Aug. 29, 1840. A year later he joined the Maine Conference, and in 1844 was stationed on the Industry circuit. While stationed here he married Mary Manter, daughter of Capt. Elijah Manter, and soon after located. He took the order of deacon in 1846, upon the recommendation of the quarterly conference. Of a reflec- tive turn of mind, he became convinced that from death to the resurrection, man would remain in an unconscious state and that, at the final resurrection, the righteous would be made immortal and the wicked be destroyed and reduced to the ele-

RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 133

ments from which they originated. By disseminating these views, which were at variance with the acknowledged doctrines of the church, he soon attracted attention of the authorities and was suspended by a council of local preachers on the 3Ist day of March, 1847. He was afterward expelled at the suc- ceeding quarterly conference, and though his only offense was a difference of religious opinion, he was dogmatically denied any participation in their subsequent religious meetings. He eventually joined a society known as the Christian Band, where he undoubtedly enjoyed greater freedom of thought and opinion.

General Nathan Goodridge, a worthy and influential citizen of Industry, joined the Methodist class in his neighborhood soon after the great revival of 1842, and was immediately ap- pointed class leader. After the usual probation he was received into the church, of which he became a valued member. Uni- versally honored and respected, he wielded a powerful influence for the cause of religion and closed a blameless life Sept. 30, 1871.

John Frost, an honest, upright man and a member of the M. E. Church, moved into town in 1835. He was for many years a class leader and a licensed exhorter. He lived in town more than a quarter of a century and then removed to Farm- ington, Me., where he died a few years since.

Guy Gray came to Industry in 1833 and settled near Tibbetts's Corner, on what was afterwards known as the Leaver place. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist denomination, but, severing his connection with that church, he joined the Methodists. He was licensed as a local preacher in January, 1838, by the latter denomination, and subse- quently went to Dead River, where he continued his labors in the ministry.

Prior to 1839 the Industry circuit had no parsonage for their pastor, but were obliged to hire a tenement for his use where- ever a suitable one could be found. But during this year a small house and stable were erected on a lot opposite the In- dustry North Meeting-House, at West's Mills, for the use of the

I34

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

minister stationed on the circuit .* Notwithstanding the efforts made to raise funds to liquidate the indebtedness thus incurred, the debt hung heavily on their hands. Various expedients were resorted to, such as apportioning the amount to the various classes by the trustees, passing subscription papers, etc., but the debt still remained unpaid. Twice the trustees were instructed to sell the house and devote the proceeds to paying off the debt. But for want of a customer, or some other cause, the property was not sold. At the beginning of the year 1844 the debt had been reduced to $190. By July 20, 1844, so suc- cessful had those engaged in soliciting subscriptions been that only forty dollars remained unpaid. For this sum eight be- nevolent members became equally responsible, viz .: James Thompson, Isaac Daggett, Ebenezer Swift, Nathan Goodridge, Robert Thompson, James Cutts, John West Manter and James G. Waugh. Thus within five years the society freed itself from the heavy debt which the building of a parsonage had incurred. A committee was appointed by the quarterly con- ference in May, 1852, previous to the appointment of Rev. Isaac Lord as pastor of the circuit, to examine the parsonage and make certain needed repairs. Although some work had been done, the house was still in an uninhabitable condition when the minister arrived.

With the advice and consent of the brethren, Elder Lord built an addition of fourteen feet to the east end of the house and finished it throughout. He also moved and repaired the shed and stable. The total cost of these improvements, includ-

* The parsonage lot was deeded to the society April 5, 1836, by Col. Samuel Daggett and James Thompson. The writer is unable to account for the discrepancy between this date and the one given in the text. The latter, gleaned from a careful examination of the church records for that period, was believed to be correct. But a discovery of the deed ( Somerset Registry of Deeds, Book 42, p. 205 ) wherein the bounds are described as follows, shows that the house must have been erected prior 10 1836: "Beginning one foot north of the northwest corner of the parsonage house, thence south by the road four rods and three feet, thence east three rods and six feet to a stake and stone, thence north four rods and three feet to a stake and stone, thence west to the first mentioned bounds. Likewise to east line of Lot. No. 28." The only explanation the writer can offer is that, although erected previously, it was not rendered habitable until the date named in the church records.

135

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

ing labor, was nearly $200. The cash portion, or the sum paid for material, etc., was promptly raised, by contribution, about the time or soon after the work was completed. Rev. Jonathan Fairbanks, when stationed on this circuit, in 1863, made exten- sive repairs on the stable, and by enlarging added greatly to its capacity and convenience.

In May, 1878, Rev. Silas F. Strout was appointed pastor of the church on Industry circuit. Soon after his arrival the church people, ably seconded by those outside, begun impor- tant repairs on the parsonage, the first step in this direction be- ing a substantial underpinning of split stone. The inside finish was torn out and the rooms more conveniently arranged, the chimney rebuilt, the roof shingled and a portion of the walls clapboarded, the final result of all these improvements being a house which would suffer no disparagement by comparison with the parsonage of any country village. Perhaps to no two men was due so large a share of credit for the success of this undertaking as to Richard Caswell and Hovey Thomas, the lat- ter planning the interior and superintending all the carpentry work. The total cost of these repairs was $319.50, of which sum the people of Stark contributed about forty dollars in labor and money. The following persons in Industry gave in labor, material and money to the amount of five dollars or more :

Richard Caswell,

$43.00.

Hovey Thomas,

35.97.

Amos S. Hinkley,

41.50.

Augustus H. Swift,

14.00

Warren Cornforth,

20.68.

Philip A. Storer.

20.00.

Benj'n W. Norton,

18.74.

Elias H. Yeaton,

8.00.

Asa H. Patterson and wife,

9.00.

Franklin W. Patterson,

8.00.

Alonzo Norton and wife,

7.00.

David M. Norton and wife,

7.50.

John W. Frederic,

8.25

George W. Johnson,

5.00

Rev. Silas F. Strout,

IO.2I

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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

In addition to the above, thirty persons contributed sums varying from fifty cents to four dollars.

When the work was nearly completed, it was found that unless some method was adopted to equalize the expense it would fall with unjust weight on Messrs. Caswell and Thomas. On the 14th of October seven of the wealthiest church mem- bers in town, including the two gentlemen just mentioned, drew up and signed an agreement to pay all expenses not otherwise provided for, incurred in making repairs on the parsonage, each one's proportion to be determined by the selectmen's valuation of the previous spring. Though some paid their assess- ment promptly, by the failure of others to comply with the terms of the agreement, Mr. Caswell and Mr. Thomas each lost a considerable sum.

From 1842 to 1853 little of importance occurred in the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Industry. As a rule the meetings were well attended and the affairs of the society, both spiritually and financially, were in a prosperous condition. John Allen was succeeded in the pastorate by Abel Alton, who remained with the society but one year. He in turn was followed by Harry W. Latham.

The church sustained a serious loss in 1854, by the death of Robert Thompson, Esq., an active and influential member who died on the 21st day of February, after a long and painful illness. He had been a licensed exhorter for many years, also a class leader, and his death was lamented by all.

Occasional revivals occurred after the great revival in 1842 up to 1865, but none of great extent. Heman Nickerson, a preacher of considerable ability, was stationed on the circuit in 1849. He was succeeded the following year by Joseph Gerry, and Elder Gerry in turn, by James Farrington, in 1851. Elder Farrington was a man of eminent piety, of a mild disposition, and greatly loved and respected by his parishioners. He was again stationed upon the circuit for a year in 1857 .*

* The church voted in 1857 to allow Elder James Farrington to preach al Madi- son Bridge once in four weeks. The following year the time was divided as follows : " At the Industry North Meeting-House, Centre and Thompson Meeting-Houses in Industry, and at the Union Meeting-House in Stark, once in four weeks."

I37

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

James Stevens, a very benevolent and influential member of the church, died in 1858. He had been a member of the Industry church for nearly forty years, and during this time had done much for the support of the gospel besides con- tributing liberally for the missionary and Bible cause.

Jonathan Fairbanks was stationed on the circuit during the years 1863 and 1864. During the last year of his stay, ten converts were received on probation. Elder Fairbanks was succeeded by Thomas J. True,* who also remained on the circuit for two years. During the second year of his pastorate he commenced a series of meetings at the Union school-house, on the 2Ist of October, 1866, which culminated in an exten- sive revival. On the 11th of December following, the meetings were removed to West's Mills. During the continuation of these meetings a large number of persons were converted, among whom were James Norton and several members of his family, Daniel Hilton, Charles E. Woodcock, now a successful minister of the Free Will Baptist Church. While the meetings were being held at West's Mills, another revival was in progress at Withee's Corner, where the labors of Elder John P. Cole and others were producing a marked result. As the fruits of this extended reformation sixty-seven persons were received on probation by the Methodist Church, while a considerable num- ber joined other churches.

George Manter, who had made a profession of religion in 1837, became awakened under the preaching of Rev. Thomas J. True, during the progress of the revival in the winter of 1866-7, and joined the Methodist Church, of which he re- mained an active and useful member to the close of his life. He filled many responsible positions in the society, such as

* THOMAS JEFFERSON TRUE was born Sept. 1, 1808. Ile entered the minis- try at the age of twenty-eight, and was for thirty-five years a member of the Maine Conference of the M. E. Church. In consequence of poor health, he was obliged to lay aside all ministerial work in 1879. He subsequently settled in Minot, Me., where he died, after a long and painful illness, Dec. 21, 1886. His parents, Zebulon and Martha (Kannady) True, were among the pioneer settlers to the town of Farmington. After a few years they removed to Temple, where their son Thomas J., the tenth of a family of twelve children, was born.

138

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

steward, class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Benjamin Warren Norton, and also his wife, made a profession of religion during the 1866-7 revival. He immediately identified himself with the Methodist Society at West's Mills, and, like Mr. Manter, became a prominent member. He was highly esteemed for his sterling worth and exemplary christian life. His removal to the State of Iowa in the spring of 1886 was a great loss to the society.

Warren Cornforth made a public profession of religion about the same time as did Mr. Norton and others. He has ever been a faithful, consistent christian and a worthy member of the church militant, giving liberally for the support of the gospel and other charitable objects. Both he and his wife were deeply interested in the erection of the new Methodist Church at West's Mills, and were instrumental in hastening its completion.

Amos S. Hinkley and several members of his family pro- fessed religion under the labors of David Pratt, Jr., and became members of the Industry church. Mr. Hinkley was a christian whose life abounded in works as well as words, being a gener- ous giver as well as an earnest advocate of the cause of Christ. His family were highly respected and wielded a powerful influ- ence in behalf of the christian religion. Their removal to Farmington in 1883 was a loss to both church and community.

Philip A. Storer and wife, were also active members of the church until their removal from town in 1880.

Calvin Bryant Fish and wife, are among the most efficient members of the church at the present time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fish have held the office of steward, and the former has been trustee of church property and superintendent of the Sunday-school at West's Mills for several years.

Richard Caswell and wife, who came to Industry from Farmington in 1875, and subsequently settled at West's Mills, are also among those who support the gospel by generous gifts.

Another convert of the great revival of 1866-7 was Elisha Fish, a man who had been a slave to strong drink for many

139

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

years. Through Divine grace he was enabled to break away from his habit, and although sometimes sorely tempted by former associates, he led, for a period of more than twenty years prior to his death, a temperate, christian life.

James Edgecomb and wife, who came from Livermore, Me., in 1854, were admitted to the Industry church by letter soon after their arrival in town. Their kindly deeds of christian charity and interest in every good work, have won for them the friendly regard and high esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

In the death of Hovey Thomas, Oct. 25, 1891, the society sustained a serious loss. Mr. Thomas came to town from New Vineyard, about 1870, and resided at Goodridge's Corner with his father-in-law, Mark Emery. He was ever ready to assist in every good work and a generous giver for the support of preaching. When the Centre Meeting-House was repaired the work was done after his plans and largely by himself, as was also the repairs on the Methodist parsonage at West's Mills. He likewise planned and framed the Methodist Church at the same place.

Daniel Waterhouse was Rev. Mr. True's successor on the Industry and Stark circuit in the spring of 1867. During his pastorate he labored zealously for the interests of the society. Several were converted, quite a number baptized and many re- ceived into the church. He also did much toward building up a flourishing Sunday-school at West's Mills, where many new books were added to the library .* There was no unusual re- ligious interest in town after the departure of Rev. Mr. Water- house, until Rev. David Pratt, Jr., came to the circuit as pastor, in 1876-7. True, there had been occasional conversions, but nothing like a revival interest manifested. The second year of Elder Pratt's labors was marked by a deep interest and several conversions.

* His pastoral labors during the last year (1868) of his sojourn on the Industry and Stark circuit, were of a decidedly onerous nature, beset with many embarrassing perplexities. The movement which culminated in the erection of a Methodist house of worship at Stark village had its origin, growth and fruition ere Elder Waterhouse left the circuit.

140

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

The Methodist Society, in common with other christian denominations in Industry, has lost heavily in membership dur- ing the past quarter of a century, by reason of deaths and re- movals, until at the present writing ( 1892) the society numbers not more than thirty-five resident members in good standing. The house of worship at West's Mills, built to replace the one burned in 1881, gave a new impetus, not only to the Sunday- school, but also to church attendance .*

This house was built largely through the untiring labors of Rev. John R. Masterman, ably seconded by his parishioners, and is a worthy monument to his three years' pastorate on Industry circuit.

Rev. George W. Barber was appointed pastor on Industry circuit in 1890, as successor to Elder Masterman, and is still serving. The circuit was enlarged in the spring of 1890 by the addition of New Vineyard, and Methodist preaching is had once in four weeks at New Vineyard Mills and Talcott's Corner.

A List of the Ministers stationed on the Industry Circuit from 1794 to 1892.

I 794. Philip Wager and Thomas Coop.

I 795. Elias Hull and Enoch Mudge.

I 796. John Broadhead.

I797. Joshua Taylor.

1798. Oliver Beal.

I 799. John Broadhead.

1800. Daniel Webb.

1801. Aaron Humphrey.

1802. Nathan Emery.

1803. Joseph Baker.

1 804-5. Daniel Ricker.

1806. Luther Chamberlain.

1807. Eben Fairbank.

1808. Caleb Fogg.

1809. Isaiah Emerson.

* For a full history of this church, its erection and dedication, see Chapter XIX. of this volume.

-----

M. E. CHURCH AT WEST'S MILLS.

Engraved by the LUX ENGRAVING Co., Boston. From a photograph made in 1842 by Ingalls & Knowlton, Farmington, Me.

14I

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

1810. Joshua Randall.

1811. Jonathan Worthen.

I812. Joseph Baker.

1813. Robert Hayes.

1814. Joshua Randall.

1815. Henry True.

1816. John Atwell.

1817. David Hutchinson.

1818.

John S. Ayer.

1819. Benjamin Ayer.

1820. William McGrey.

I821. John Atwell.

1822. Philip Ayer.

1823.

Daniel Wentworth.

I824-5. Ezekiel Robinson.

1826. Henry True and Elliott B. Fletcher.

1827. Elisha Streeter and Martin Ward.

1828.

Peter Burgess.

1829. Peter Burgess and James Warren, Ist.

1 830. Elisha Streeter.

1831. John Perrin.

1832. Samuel P. Blake.

1833. Aaron Fuller.

1834. Asa Heath.

1835. James Farrington.

1836. To be supplied .*

1837-8. Thomas Smith.

1839. Charles L. Browning.

1840. Jesse Harriman.

1841. John Allen.

1842. Abel Alton.

* Although having an appointment on Palmyra circuit, it is believed Rev. Theo- dore Hill was one of the supplies in 1836. He held a series of revival meetings at the Union School-house during the autumnal months, and the author's mother was one of his converts. She was baptized the following year and in September, 1837, received as a member of the class in John Frost's neighborhood.

Since the foregoing was put in type the writer has learned that when the census was taken, March 1, 1837, preparatory to apportioning the surplus revenue ( see Chap. XI'.), Rev. Mr. Hill was a resident of Industry. Therefore, if Dr. Allen is correct in stationing him on Palmyra circuit ( Methodism in Maine, p. 591), it is presumable that his labors there occupied but a small portion of his time, and that he was a non-resident pastor.

142

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

1843. Harry W. Latham.

1844 .* Zebulon Manter, Jr.t

1845. Peter Burgess.

1846. Marcus Wight.

1847-8. Silas B. Brackett.

1849. Heman Nickerson.

1850. Joseph Gerry.

1851. James Farrington.

1852-3. Isaac Lord.

1854. James Armstrong.

1855-6. Joseph Mooar

1857. James Farrington.

1858. Isaac Lord.

1859. Phineas Libby.

1860-1. Simeon W. Pierce.

1862. William H. Foster.

1863-4. Jonathan Fairbanks.

1865-6. Thomas J. True.

1867-8. Daniel Waterhouse.

1869-70. Henry D. Crockett.

1871-2. David Church.

1873-4. Jeremiah Hayden.

1875. Jonathan Fairbanks.

1876-7. David Pratt, Jr.

1878-9. Silas F. Strout.

1880-1. John W. Perry.

1882-3. Luther P. French.

1884. Benjamin F. Pease.#

1885-6. John Robinson.

1887-8-9. John R. Masterman.

1890-1-2. George W. Barber.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.

"About the time of the first settlement in Industry," says William Allen, " Judith Luce, daughter of Daniel Luce, of New Vineyard, went to live with Samuel Sewall, in Farmington, and

* Two ministers to be supplied. t A preacher but not an elder.

# Resigned his pastorale in June on account of feeble health, and died in July, ISS4. Pulpit in Industry supplied by Rev. Peter E. Norton, of Stark.

143

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

while living in that excellent family she experienced religion and united with the Congregational Church." She subsequently married John Trask, a brother of Mrs. Sewall. In the mean- time her father had removed from New Vineyard to Industry, and soon after her marriage she and her husband went to live with him. A young man by the name of Jonathan Bunker, living near Mr. Sewall, experienced religion under the teachings of Mr. Sewall and Rev. Jotham Sewall, as did also Mr. Trask. They embraced fully the creed of their patrons and united with the Congregational Church at Farmington. About 1797 Mr. Bunker married and moved to Industry. These three persons formed the nucleus of the Congregational Church in this town. Probably the first sermon preached in town by a minister of this denomination was by Rev. Jotham Sewall, of Chesterville, about the middle of December in the year 1800 .* Consid- erable snow lay on the ground at the time, and the roads were untrodden. Previous to the day appointed for the meeting a heavy rain had fallen; the storm cleared off cold, forming a crust, and rendering riding extremely uncomfortable, if not decidedly infeasible. Consequently, on Saturday morning Father Sewall started on foot to travel the distance, some ten or twelve miles. Reaching Sandy River, he found it greatly swollen from the recent rain, insomuch that it had overflowed much of the adjoining interval land. By the aid of a friend with his canoe, and without getting much wet, he reached the opposite shore in safety. Continuing his weary way he did not

* Jotham Sewall was born in York, District of Maine, Jan. 1, 1760. He was a son of Henry and Abigail Sewall, the youngest of a family of five children. He was a mason by trade and worked at this business previous to entering the ministry. His personal appearance is thus described by Rev. George Shepard, D. D .: " He was tall, large and massy. Dignity, gravity and impressiveness were borne on his frame and features-one of those robust, compact, solidly-built men, whose very size and structure indicated the natively strong and great mind. ' What a wide man he is,' said a little girl as he left the room. A wide man he was, in the singular breadth of his frame, and in the reach of his christian heart, as well as in his labor for souls - broad in the field which under God he blessed - and bright his crown in heaven." He was remarkably simple in his habits of living and dress, and proverbially punctual to his appointments. Ile died at the advanced age of ninety years.

144

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

reach his destination until long after sundown .* Thus it will be seen that the labors of the pioneer ministers in Industry were attended by great and sometimes perplexing difficulties.

On the 21st day of January, 1802, a little more than a year after his first visit, Rev. Jotham Sewall, accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr. Samuel Sewall, t a licentiate, visited Industry and held a meeting for the purpose of organizing a church. A society was formed, consisting, as we learn from Rev. Jotham Sewall's Memoirs, of eight members, among whom were William Allen, Sr., John Trask and wife, and Jonathan Bunker.

At first the church was under the care of Samuel Sewall, of Farmington, as missionary. Prior to the organization of a church, Rev. Jotham Sewall, as has already been stated, occa- sionally preached in town, and scarcely more than three weeks had elapsed, after its organization, ere we find him back again laboring zealously for the cause of his Master in the new settle- ment. During his labors in this town, extending over a period of nearly fifty years, he preached two hundred and ten sermons. Through the influence of his daughter, Mrs. Trask, and her husband, Mr. Luce and three of his sons, namely, Daniel, Truman, ¿ and David, having experienced religion, were induced to join this church.

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A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 12

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938